Trumps lambastes 'fools' who oppose better Russia ties

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US president-elect Donald Trump condemned Russia critics on Saturday, calling those who oppose better relations with Moscow "stupid" people and "fools" in his latest Twitter tirade.

His attack comes a day after the Republican president-elect’s meeting with the country's leading intelligence agency chiefs including the director of national intelligence, James Clapper, and CIA chief John Brennan.

President-elect Donald Trump's statement on Twitter

The latter told him that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed a vast cyberattack and leaking campaign aimed at helping install Trump in the White House.

But the formal announcement of former Indiana Senator Dan Coats as Trump's pick for US director of national intelligence, also on Saturday, may go at least a little toward reassuring those critical of Trump's praise for Putin and desire to improve relations with Moscow.

President-elect Donald Trump's statement on Twitter

A mild-mannered former ambassador to Germany who also served on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Coats, 73, has been a vocal critic of Russia's annexation of Crimea.

He was widely tipped for the job coordinating 16 intelligence and security agencies --- a position Trump may slim down.

Following his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Indiana Senator Dan Coats speaks briefly with the press at Trump Tower in New York, NY, USA on November 30, 2016. /CFP Photo

"Dan has clearly demonstrated the deep subject matter expertise and sound judgment required to lead our intelligence community," Trump said in a statement.

"If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, he will provide unwavering leadership that the entire intelligence community can respect, and will spearhead my administration's ceaseless vigilance against those who seek to do us harm," he added.

(Source: AFP)

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